Colapinto has “earned his right” to be in F1 next year

Lewis Hamilton says Franco Colapinto has shown he deserves to be on the F1 grid in 2025.

The Williams driver joined the grid at the Italian Grand Prix after the team fired the under-performing Logan Sargeant. Over his first five rounds to date, Colapinto has scored five points – more than his predecessor managed in a year-and-a-half.

This weekend’s Brazilian Grand Prix is the closest round Colapinto has to his native Argentina. Thousands of his supporters are expected to attend.

Asked for his assessment of the Williams driver’s performance, Hamilton said he was very impressed by the rookie so far.

“I think he’s done an incredible job to, last minute, be called up and thrown into the deep end in this sport,” Hamilton said.

“The majority of us, if we’re lucky to get in the sport, we have a bit of a run-up, if you look at, for example, young Kimi [Antonelli], for example, he’s got a lot of test days before his first race. I think he will have over 20 days or something in the car, which is unprecedented.

“As for this guy, he didn’t have that. So he just jumped straight in and he did a fantastic job. It’s always great to see young people and young talented individuals get the opportunity to come through and shine.”

Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and go ad-free

Hamilton praised Colapinto for the on-track battle the pair had at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku, the Williams driver’s second grand prix start and first points finish. “We had a great little battle and it was super-safe,” Hamilton said. “It was hard but fair.

Williams has already confirmed its two drivers for next year. Hamilton urged Colapinto to do everything he can to take the last remaining seat, at Sauber.

“I think he’s earned his right to be here. There still is a seat available. And he’s saying it’s not for him to decide. My advice would be to make sure that it is. I’d be pushing on my side to make sure I was doing absolutely everything.

“At the end of the day he’s got to just continue to focus on doing his job every weekend as he is. Hopefully he’s got good people behind him who are doing the right job to make sure that he’s here racing next year.”

Colapinto says he trying to enjoy his current opportunity to race in Formula 1 over these final four rounds of the season.

“I would like to be in Formula 1,” he said. “I came very late in the year, and I got an amazing opportunity by Williams, by James [Vowles], Sven…